Game or educational device

ABSTRACT

A device having the outward form of a transparent or translucent crystal ball disposed before a human figure with conjointly movable arms and eyelids. Disposed within the crystal ball are a pair of independently rotatable cylindrical members having circumferentially distributed symbols that become visible through a predetermined viewing region of the ball when the cylindrical members are illuminated by a lamp located within each member. Indexing movement of one of the cylindrical members selectively causes illumination of one or both lamps. A cam and lever arrangement assures synchronous movement of the arms and eyelids with said one cylindrical member.

United States Patent 1 Prola 1 GAME OR EDUCATIONAL DEVICE [76] lnventor:Victor J. Prola, 334 Maple Avenue,

Blairsville, Pa. 15717 [22] Filed: June 9, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 261,533

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 441,131 l/l936 Great Britain 273/161June 19, 1973 Primary Examiner-Anton O. Oechsle Attorney-Melvin A.Crosby [57] ABSTRACT A device having the outward form of a transparentor translucent crystal ball disposed before a human figure withconjointly movable arms and eyelids. Disposed within the crystal ballare a pair of independently rotatable cylindrical members havingcircumferentially distributed symbols that become visible through apredetermined viewing region of the ball when the cylindrical membersare illuminated by a. lamp located within each member. Indexing movementof one of the cylindrical members selectively causes illumination of oneor both lamps. A cam and lever arrangement assures synchronous movementof the arms and eyelids with said one cylindrical member.

20 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEU SHEHIUFZ PATENIED 3. 740.039

FIG-3 FIG-8 GAME OR EDUCATIONAL DEVICE This invention relates to a gamedevice or teaching device, and in particular to a device of this natureinvolving mathematical or arithmetical operations and' which embodies anair of mystification.

More particularly still, the present invention concerns a device inwhich certain selections, for example, of numbers, can be made and thedevice signals instructions to the operator or player which are to befollowed and, subsequently, signals an answer which shows whether or notthe signalled instructions have been properly followed.

The present invention represents further advances and improvements overthe device illustrated in rriy copending application, Ser. No. 13,486;entitled: GAME DEVICE, and filed Feb. 24, 1970, now US. Pat. No.3,672,071.

A primary object of the present invention is the provision of a deviceof the nature referred to which is relatively compact and inexpensive,but quite efficient in operation and which, in addition to providing thepleasure of mystification and suspense, provides for practice inarithmetic.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a device of thenature referred to which is adjustable to provide for different types ofinstructions and different answers corresponding to the instructions.

A still further object is the provision of a device of 'the naturereferred to which is both entertaining and educational and operates in amanner such as to mystify at least younger players.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome more apparent upon reference to the following detaileddescription taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the device in one position.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the device in another position.

FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view through the device indicated byline III-III on FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on line IV-IV of FIG. 2and 3.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a linkage mechanism forming a part ofthe device.

FIG. 6 is a section on line VI-VI of FIG. 3 showing a detail of thedevice.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for the device.

FIG. 8 schematically illustrates a modification.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The device of the present inventionembodies the combination of instruction signalling means and answerindicating means with the instruction signalling means beingsequentially actuated. The instruction signalling means may be visibleor audible or a combination thereof and, in a preferred form which theinvention takes, consist of instructions for performing mathematical orarithmetical operations.

The device embodies a selector for selecting an item ofinformation,'such as a number, which is employed during the carrying outof the instructions, together with another item of information, such asa number, which is indicated on the device.

Following the carrying out of the sequentially indicated instructions,the apparatus indicates an answer which will show whether or not theoperator or player has correctly carried out the instructions indicatedby the device.

The device is housed in a frame and may be either battery operated oroperated from conventional household current and includes a manuallyoperated switch for sequentially actuating the instruction signallingmeans. A motor operated switch may also be used for that purpose.

The frame of the device is in the form of a base having a figurine atone side while resting on the base is a spherical member simulating acrystal ball. The instructions are inside the spherical member and aremade visible by lamps and the figurine has moveable arms and eyelidswhich are actuated during the operation of the device. 7

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The device comprises a frameconsisting of a base 10 having a figurine 12 upstanding at one sidewhile in front of the figurine is a globular shell-like portion 14 oflight conductive material. This portion 14 may be either transparent ortranslucent.

Supported inside portion 14 on a diameter thereof is a shaft 16 androtatably mounted on the shaft 16 in axially spaced relation are firstand second cylindrical members 18 and 20, each of which has a hub 22,24, respectively, and spokes, or a spider, connecting the hub with acylindrical rim portion. Each cylindrical rim portion bears symbols inthe form of numbers or words or the like which are normally invisiblefrom outside shell portion 14 but which become visible when therespective rim portion is illuminated from the inside.

For illuminating the rim portions of members 18 and 20 from the insidethereof, there are provided the respective lamps 26 and 28 each mountedin a respective socket with each socket provided with a respective reflector 30, 32 which directs the light from the respective lamp toward acertain peripheral region of the rim portion of the pertainingcylindrical member and which can be referred to as a reading position.This position is to one side of the vertical center line of shell-likepor-' tion 14 and on that side of portion 14 opposite figurine 12.

Each socket is supported on a respective spring 34,

' 36 with the lower end of each spring being mounted on one end of asubstantially horizontal arm 38, 40.

As will best be seen in FIG. 3, each arm extendsin the fore and aftdirection and is disposed below the axis of shaft 16 and is providedwith a counter weight 42 to counter balance the weight of the lamp andsocket and spring and reflector.

The arms 38, 40 are connected by a shaft 44 parallel to shaft 16 andsuspended in the spaced arms 46 dependent from a bushing 48 loose onshaft 16 and fitting between hubs 22 and 24. Between dependent portions46, shaft 44 may have connected thereto a weight 50 of substantial sizewhich determines a certain rest position for shaft 44 and, therefore,for the arms 38 and 40 and the lamps pertaining thereto.

Each of members 18 and 20 on the one side is provided with notches forreceiving a detent. Thus, cylindrical member 18 has notches 52 adaptedto receive detent element 54 mounted on the upper end of a leaf spring56 anchored in portion 58 of the frame.

Similarly, cylindrical member 20 has notches 60 engaged by a detentelement 62 on the upper end of a leaf spring 64 also anchored in portion58 of the frame.

Adjacent detent element 62 are switches 51 and 52 with an actuatingplunger 66 extending between spring 64 and switch 51. When the detentelement 62 is riding on the edge of cylindrical member 20 betweenadjacent notches, both switches are open, and when the detent drops intocertain ones of the notches it will cause switch 51 to close, whereaswhen the detent drops into predetermined deeper notches, one of which isdesignated at 68, the detent will drop farther than it does when itenters a notch 60 and will cause both of switches 51 and 52 to close.

The other axial edge of each of members 18 and 20 is provided with gearteeth 70, and the gear teeth engage respective worms 72 for member 18and 74 for member 20. Each worm, as will be seen in FIG. 3, is

position thereof to the second position thereof while the lidssimultaneously close. The last indexed movement of member 20 will bringthe cam into such position that follower 118 will drop into the nextnotch thereby suddenly returning the arms to the first position thereofand causing the eyelids to open.

Inside portion 14 are two further lamps 130 and 132 not directlyassociated with members 18 and 20.

The lamp 28 is under the control of the aforementioned switch 51 andlamps 26, 130 and 132 are under the control of switches 51 and 52 withthe lamps and switches being connected in circuit with a battery B asshown in FIG. 7 with an on-off switch 134 also being mounted on a shaft76 which is journaled in frame 10 i and at the outer end has a knob 78for rotation of the shaft to drive the pertaining cylindrical member inrotationfrom one indexed position to another. Left hand knob 78 in FIGS.1 and 2 is a number selector knob and right hand knob is the game knob.Left hand knob controls a disc 81 which has a portion of the edgevisible through window 79 whereby the adjusted position of left handknob 78 and of member 18 operated thereby can be determined. Disc 81 canbe fixed to left hand shaft 76 or it can be positively driven thereby,as by a ball chain.

The hub 24 for cylindrical member carries a star wheel 80 thereon havingnotches 82 adapted to engage an element 84 carried on arm 40. By thedescribed arrangement, which is illustrated in FIG. 6, each time member20 is indexed one step, star wheel 80 will cause the shaft 44 and thearms 38 and 40 thereon to start to oscillate about the rest positionthereof with the oscillations gradually diminishing until the said armscome to rest.

The figurine referred to has a head 90 with eyes 92 which have moveableeyelids 94. The figurine also has arms 96 pivoted to the body of thefigurine at 98 and with the arms having hands 100. In a lowered firstposition of the arms, the hands rest on shell-like portion 14, as shownin FIG. 1, and in a second rest position of the arms, the hands rest onthe head of the figurine as shown in FIG. 2.

Simultaneously with the movement of the arms, the lids 94 move from openposition when the arms are down to closed position when the arms are up.

As will be seen in FIG. 5, a linkage is provided, consisting of a lever102 connected to the eyelids and a lever 104 connected to the arms in alink 106 extending therebetween so that when the arms raise the eyelidswill close and vice versa. The arms have another lever 108 which maycarry a counter weight 110 to counter balance the weight of the arms.Lever 104 is connected by a link 112 with a lever 114 pivoted in frame10 at 116. The end of lever I14 opposite its pivotal connection to link112 comprises a follower 118 resting on the periphery of a cam 120 whichis fixed to the hub of member 20.

Member 20 in the arrangement illustrated has two beginning positions, ineach of which follower 118 is at the bottom ofa notch in cam 120. Asmember 20 is indexed away from the rest position step by step, the armsof the figurine gradually raise away from the first provided in thecircuit.

As will be seen in FIG. 4, battery B may be receivable in a socket inthe bottom of frame 10 and retained in position as by clip 136 whilemaking contact with spring members 138 and 140 and which are connectedto respectively oppositesides of the circuit of FIG. 7 as shown therein.

By way of example of one manner in which the device according to thepresent invention can be employed, the knob 78 which is positioned tothe right in FIGS. 1 and 2 and which controls member 20, is rotated tostarting position. In this starting position switch 51 is closed andlamp 28 is illuminated. At the same time lamp 28 is caused to swing backand forth so that the instructions illuminated thereby do notimmediately come into focus.

When the legend on member 20 does come into focus, the following legendcan be read, THINK A NUMBER, ANY NUMBER. The player chooses a v number,for example number 12, and then turns right hand knob 78 to index member20 to the next position. The figurines arms now commence to move towardthe figurines head and lamp 28, upon the aforesaid rotation of knob 78,first goes out and then comes back on when member 20 reaches indexedposition, while at the same time the lamp is swinging inside the member20. When swinging of the lamp ceases a new instruction will be visiblewhich may be, for example, DOUBLE YOUR NUMBER. Right hand knob 78 isagain actuated and the figurines hands move closer to the head and afurther instruction will become visible in the aforesaid manner whenmember 20 reaches the next indexed position. This further instruction isSELECT A NUMBER AND ADD.

The player then turns the left hand knob 78 to a desired number andwhich number will be visible through window 79 on the front of thedevice by means of dial member 81 carried on the shaft connected to lefthand knob 78, or otherwise positively connected to the shaft so that arespective number is visible through window 79 in each indexed positionof member 18.

The player then adds the selected number to the previous total obtainedby following instructions. If the number 6 has been selected, the totalwill be 30. The right hand knob 78 is then actuated to advance member 20one more position and at this time the figurines hands approach stillcloser to the head and a further set of instructions will appear, forexample, DIVIDE BY TWO.

The player follows these instructions and upon dividing 30 by 2 obtainsl5.

The right hand knob 78 is then actuated'again and this time thefigurines hands engage the head and the eyes of the figurine close. Astill further set of instructions is also indicated, namely, SUBTRACTTHE ORIGINAL NUMBER. The operator now computes the final answer bysubtracting 12 from 15, thereby obtaining number 3. A further actuationof right hand knob 78 will cause the arms of the figurine to drop andthe eyes to open and at this time detent 62 will drop into a deep notch68, thereby closing both of switches 51 and 52 and illuminating all ofthe lights inside the shell-like transparent or translucent portion 14.The lamps 26 and 28 will be swinging inside the portion 14 and when theswinging thereof ceases, the answer corresponding to the number selectedby the left hand knob 78 will now become visible, the answer being 3 andwhich corresponds with the answer computed by the player if theinstructions have been carried out properly.

From the foregoing it will be evident that other game arrangements canbe established with sets of instructions and that the foregoing game ismerely exemplary.

For example, if the selected number is the players age, an answer can beobtained showing the players age and years of birth. FIG. 8 is pertinentin this respect.

In FIG. 8, member is shown in the indexed position thereof whichcorresponds to the starting position for the series of instructionswhich will yield the players age and year of birth. This game alsoinvolves the presetting of member 18 in a certain answer position. To

prevent premature disclosure of the answer, member 20 carries a mask 21which, in the position in which member 20 is shown in FIG. 8, coversthat portion of member 18 which is in reading position. When member 20is indexed to reveal the series of instructions to be followed, the mask21 will move out of masking position and, when lamp 26 is illuminated byindexing of member 20 to the answer position, the portion of member 18in reading position will become readable.

It will be apparent that a plurality'of series of instructions could bearranged in succession on member 20 with each series terminating in ananswer position of member 20 in which lamp 26 in member 18 isilluminated to show the answer. The knob which is connected to member20, and the frame adjacent thereto would, in that case, be provided withcooperating elements of indicia to show the position of the knobcorresponding to the staring position of member 20 for each series ofinstructions.

The instructions are contemplated to be mathematical in nature and caninvolve any type, or combination of types, of mathematical operations.Other types of instructions which can lead to a predictable end result,or answer, are, of course, possible.

Modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

I. In a game or teaching device; a frame, a pair of cylindrical membersrotatably mounted in coaxial relation in the frame and bearingcircumferentially distributed symbols that become visible in apredetermined circumferentially disposed viewing region when therespective cylindrical member is internally illuminated, eachcylindrical member having a plurality of indexed positions in each ofwhich a respective symbol is presented to said viewing region, means forindependently indexing said cylindrical members from each indexedposition thereof to the next, lamp means for independently illuminatingthe inside of each cylindrical memher, and control means responsive toindexing moveport means swingably supporting said lamp means, and

means responsive to indexing movement of at least said one cylindricalmember for causing said lamp means to commence to swing on said supportmeans.

3. A game according to claim 2 which includes a spring supporting eachlamp means means.

4. The game according to claim I in which'said frame includes aspherical portion surrounding said cylindrical members and on ,the innersurface of which said on said support symbols are projected by the saidlamp meanswhen the lamp means are illuminated.

5. A game according to claim 4- in which said frame includes a figurineseated adjacent said spherical por tion and having moveable arms withhands which rest on said sphericalportion in a lowered position of saidarms and on the head of the figurine inan elevated position of saidarms, and actuating means responsive to rotation of at least said onecylindrical member for moving said arms between the two said positionsthereof.

6. A game according to claim 5 in which said figurine has moveableeyelids, and linkage means connecting the eyelids to said arms forclosing; the eyelids in the elevated position of said arms and openingthe eyelids in the lowered position of said arms.

7. A game according to claim 5 in which said actuating means includes acam connected to rotate with said one cylindrical member, and linkagemeans in said frame connecting said cam to said arms of the figurine foractuation thereof as said one cylindrical member is rotated.

8. A game according to claim 1 in which said frame has a sphericalportion simulating a crystal ball and surrounding said cylindricalmembers, a diametral shaft in said spherical portion, said cylindricalmembers being independently rotatable on said shaft, said frame having afront wall, a pair of knobs rotatable on said front wall, and meansdrivingly connecting each knob with one of said cylindrical members.

9. A game according to claim 8 which includes a dial behind said frontwall and driven by one of said knobs, said dial having symbols thereonin circumferentially distributed relation, and a window in said frontwall for viewing said dial thereby to determine the indexed position ofthe cylindrical member pertaining tothe respective knob.

10. A game according to claim 8 which includes a shaft connected to eachknob and extending into the frame, a worm on each shaft adjacent therespective cylindrical member, and teeth on the cylindrical membersengaging the respective ones of said worms.

11. A game according to claim 1 in which each cylindrical memberincludes notches in one edge and detent means resiliently supported insaid frame and bearing on said one edges to determine the indexedpositions of i and operated into closed position by the detent meanspertaining to said one cylindrical member when the detent means dropsinto any notch in the said one edge of said one cylindrical member.

14. A game according to claim 13 in which at least one selected notch insaid one edge of said one cylindrical member is deeper than the othersthereof, and a second switch in circuit with the lamp means pertainingto the other said cylindrical member and closed only when the detentmeans pertaining to said one cylindrical member drops into said oneselected notch.

15. A game according to claim 14 in which other lamp means are providedinside said cylindrical member and in circuit with said second switch.

16. A game according to claim 1 in which each of the said lamp means forilluminating the inside of a said cylindrical member is nonrotatablysupported inside the respective cylindrical member, and reflector meansadjacent each said lamp means directing the illumination therefromtoward a predetermined circumferential region of the respectivecylindrical member.

17. A game according to claim 1 which includes means for supplyingenergy to said-lamp means com prising battery means in said frame.

18. A game according to claim 1 in which said one cylindrical member hasa plurality of sets of instructions serially arranged thereon about theperiphery thereof.

19. A game according to claim 1 in which said one cylindrical memberincludes a mask element thereon which in one position of said onecylindrical member covers the portion of the other cylindrical memberwhich is disposed in said viewing region.

20. A game according to claim 1 in which said one member has a pluralityof sets of instructions serially arranged about the periphery thereof,an indexed position of said one cylindrical member pertaining to eachinstruction, a further indexed position for said one cylindrical memberat the end of each series of instructions comprising the answerposition, and means for illuminating the lamp means inside the othercylindrical member in each answer position of said one cylindricalmember.

1. In a game or teaching device; a frame, a pair of cylindrical members rotatably mounted in coaxial relation in the frame and bearing circumferentially distributed symbols that become visible in a predetermined circumferentially disposed viewing region when the respective cylindrical member is internally illuminated, each cylindrical member having a plurality of indexed positions in each of which a respective symbol is presented to said viewing region, means for independently indexing said cylindrical members from each indexed position thereof to the next, lamp means for independently illuminating the inside of each cylindrical member, and control means responsive to indexing movement of at least one said cylindrical member for controlling the illumination of said lamp means.
 2. A game according to claim 1 which includes support means swingably supporting said lamp means, and means responsive to indexing movement of at least said one cylindrical member for causing said lamp means to commence to swing on said support means.
 3. A game according to claim 2 which includes a spring supporting each lamp means on said support means.
 4. The game according to claim 1 in which said frame includes a spherical portion surrounding said cylindrical members and on the inner surface of which said symbols are projected by the said lamp means when the lamp means are illuminated.
 5. A game according to claim 4 in which said frame includes a figurine seated adjacent said spherical portion and having moveable arms with hands which rest on said spherical portion in a lowered position of said arms and on the head of the figurine in an elevated position of said arms, and actuating means responsive to rotation of at least said one cylindrical member for moving said arms between the two said positions thereof.
 6. A game according to claim 5 in which said figurine has moveable eyelids, and linkage means connecting the eyelids to said arms for closing the eyelids in the elevated position of said arms and opening the eyelids in the lowered position of said arms.
 7. A game according to claim 5 in which said actuating means includes a cam connected to rotate with said one cylindrical member, and linkage means in said frame connecting said cam to said arms of the figurine for actuation thereof as said one cylindrical member is rotated.
 8. A game according to claim 1 in which said frame has a spherical portion simulating a crystal ball and surrounding said cylindrical members, a diametral shaft in said spherical portion, said cylindrical members being independently rotatable on said shaft, said frame having a front wall, a pair of knobs rotatable on said front wall, and means drivingly connecting each knob with one of said cylindrical members.
 9. A game according to claim 8 which includes a dial behind said front wall and driven by one of said knobs, said dial having symbols thereon in circumferentially distributed relAtion, and a window in said front wall for viewing said dial thereby to determine the indexed position of the cylindrical member pertaining to the respective knob.
 10. A game according to claim 8 which includes a shaft connected to each knob and extending into the frame, a worm on each shaft adjacent the respective cylindrical member, and teeth on the cylindrical members engaging the respective ones of said worms.
 11. A game according to claim 1 in which each cylindrical member includes notches in one edge and detent means resiliently supported in said frame and bearing on said one edges to determine the indexed positions of said cylindrical members.
 12. A game according to claim 11 in which said control means includes switch means actuated by the detent means pertaining to at least said one cylindrical member.
 13. A game according to claim 12 in which said switch means includes a first switch in circuit with the lamp means pertaining to said one cylindrical member and operated into closed position by the detent means pertaining to said one cylindrical member when the detent means drops into any notch in the said one edge of said one cylindrical member.
 14. A game according to claim 13 in which at least one selected notch in said one edge of said one cylindrical member is deeper than the others thereof, and a second switch in circuit with the lamp means pertaining to the other said cylindrical member and closed only when the detent means pertaining to said one cylindrical member drops into said one selected notch.
 15. A game according to claim 14 in which other lamp means are provided inside said cylindrical member and in circuit with said second switch.
 16. A game according to claim 1 in which each of the said lamp means for illuminating the inside of a said cylindrical member is nonrotatably supported inside the respective cylindrical member, and reflector means adjacent each said lamp means directing the illumination therefrom toward a predetermined circumferential region of the respective cylindrical member.
 17. A game according to claim 1 which includes means for supplying energy to said lamp means comprising battery means in said frame.
 18. A game according to claim 1 in which said one cylindrical member has a plurality of sets of instructions serially arranged thereon about the periphery thereof.
 19. A game according to claim 1 in which said one cylindrical member includes a mask element thereon which in one position of said one cylindrical member covers the portion of the other cylindrical member which is disposed in said viewing region.
 20. A game according to claim 1 in which said one member has a plurality of sets of instructions serially arranged about the periphery thereof, an indexed position of said one cylindrical member pertaining to each instruction, a further indexed position for said one cylindrical member at the end of each series of instructions comprising the answer position, and means for illuminating the lamp means inside the other cylindrical member in each answer position of said one cylindrical member. 